143 
XXVII., XXXV.) : but it is convenient to keep Superstition 
as an open class for the collection of a number of obscure 
and puzzling usages. 
1. Do any superstitions prevail as to touching fire, drinking 
water, handling particular objects, &c. ? 2. Any ideas of lucky 
and unlucky objects and acts ? 3. Prejudices connected with 
sneezing, yawning, spitting, whistling, talking, and any other 
actions ? 4. Any curious fancies as to animals ? 5. Are 
animals treated as rational, and talked to ? 6. Are exaggerated 
stories told of their sagacity and habits ? 7. Are special places 
considered lucky or unlucky, and visited or avoided ? 8. Are 
houses or villages ever abandoned or destroyed on account of 
sickness, death, or other cause ? 9. Are there any peculiar 
ideas as to east and west, north and south ? 10. A ny remark¬ 
able notions as to sun, moon, and stars? 11. Are storms, 
thunder and lightning, or darkness the subject of any special 
prejudices ? 12. Is there any objection to crossing water, 
going by particular paths, &c. ? 13. Any peculiar customs as 
to cutting hair and nails, leaving articles of clothing about, 
&c. 14. Any superstitions about human excreta or urine ? 
15. Any superstitious usages as to birth and naming of 
children, period of manhood and womanhood, marriage, 
divorce, sickness, death, and burial ? 16. Any other super¬ 
stitions not included in these classes? 17. Are dreams re¬ 
garded ? Do they give information of the past, and prophecy 
or omens for the future ? 18. How are dreams interpreted ? 
are they direct visits or communications from spirits ? are 
their scenes taken symbolically—as when to dream of a knife 
or blood is an omen of war ? do they ever go by contraries ? 
19. Are dreams sought by fasting, narcotics, &c. ? 20. Are 
the words of men in a state of ecstasy specially regarded ? or 
the talk of madmen and children, words accidentally heard, 
&c. ? Are omens taken from such words ? 21. Are there any 
reported cases of second sight ? 22. Are cries of animals and 
birds taken as omens, by way of augury ? 23. Is meeting a 
particular animal ominous ? 24. Are omens taken from acci¬ 
dents, such as stumbling, &c. ? 
E. B. T. 
